PHILADELPHIA, PA. – JUNE 28, 2012 – The Philadelphia 76ers announced that they have acquired the draft rights to Arnett Moultrie, who was the 27th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, from Miami in exchange for the draft rights to Justin Hamilton (45th overall pick) and a protected future first round pick. Moultrie was an early entry candidate for the draft following his junior season at Mississippi State.

Moultrie (6-11, 249) was named First Team All-SEC after averaging 16.4 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists this past season while shooting 54.9% from the floor. He led the conference in rebounding and ranked tied for 10th in the nation. Moultrie also shot 78.0% from the line in 2011-12 after shooting 58.7% his first two seasons combined. Read the rest of this entry »

Philadelphia 76ers coach Doug Collins believes the team will do what it takes to bring Lou Williams back to the team. Williams opted out of the last year of his contract on Saturday. Said Collins, “I know Lou loves the fans, the city, the organization, his teammates and has the utmost respect for coach Collins and his staff,” Rose said Saturday night. “Based on what Lou has done in terms of production on the court, leadership and excepting his role off the bench for the betterment of the team, I also believe the Sixers will step up to keep him like they did last summer with Thad [Young].

Alex Kennedy, of Hoops World, speculated the same as many when he discovered that the Philadelphia 76ers met with Andre Drummond at the 2012 NBA Draft combine.

It’s important to take this for what it is – pure speculation. This isn’t a rumor, breaking news, or anything of this nature. I assume Kennedy just tweeted the same thought we all had when Drummond’s name became associated with the Sixers. He’s a consensus top five prospect, and his floor is probably no lower than pick eight or nine. He’s not falling to the Sixers at 15 – no way, no how.

So, why did the Sixers meet with Andre Drummond? Are the looking to trade up into the top five? Top 10?

I’ve been adamant in my stance that the Sixers will not trade up in this year’s draft – assuming it would take Andre Iguodala to do so. It just doesn’t make sense to me on a few levels. First, I don’t think Doug Collins wants a pick for Iguodala – he wants to win now. Second, why would a team in the top 10 inquire about Iguodala? He’s a valuable asset, but only for a contender with an established star. Read the rest of this entry »

The offseason could be a busy one for Rod Thorn and the Philadelphia 76ers. With the draft quickly approaching and decisions to be made on the state of their roster, there could be more than a few arrivals and departures.

One of those departures likely will be guard Lou Williams.

Williams came off the bench and led the Sixers in scoring with 14.9 points per game this season, though his numbers dropped off during the playoffs. However, with an early termination option in his contract, Williams can opt out and test the free-agent market, perhaps to land a job as a starter elsewhere.

That’s exactly what the Sixers’ president expects from the team’s leading scorer.

“Right now I would say Williams probably will [opt out of his contract],” Thorn said.

The Raptors are shopping for a wing like Andre Iguodala. (Getty Images)

The Toronto Raptors have gotten a 5-15 draft pick the past five years. That spot is chock full of tweenerf forwards at that spot, again. They don’t need any more tweener forwards. They need an impact player. They’re ready to go forwad. Which is why they’re looking to trade their No. 8 pick for an impact player, according to ESPN:

And that’s why the Raptors have already made it known to rival teams that their lottery pick on June 28 — No. 8 overall — is available to a trade partner that can provide the elite small forward they seek, according to sources close to the situation.

With a slew of league execs having converged on Chicago this week for the NBA’s annual pre-draft camp, sources told ESPN.com that the Raptors have at least two known trade targets: Memphis swingman Rudy Gay and Philadelphia’s Andre Iguodala.

This makes a world of sense for Toronto. They’re essentially getting their star rookie by bringing over Jonas Valanciunas from Europe, their top pick from last year. With what’s on the board, they’re in a position to add a major player. Read the rest of this entry »

With the New York Knicks just 7-13 to start the season and All-Star forward Amar’e Stoudemire scoring 8 points per game less than last season, the first rush of trade winds is in effect.

CSNPhilly.com reports that it is the Philadelphia 76ers, an Atlantic Division rival, that phoned the Knicks to inquire about Stoudemire’s availability.

According to a league source, the Sixers have inquired about Stoudemire, though it was categorized as “due diligence.” Nothing is said to be imminent or even in the early stages other than just talk, the source said. Nevertheless, in past seasons the Sixers were reportedly discussing trade scenarios with the Phoenix Suns in order to acquire Stoudemire.

The Knicks’ early season struggles are well-documented. Without a capable point guard to point the group in the right direction, New York has stumbled out of the gate and is currently tracking to be a lottery team despite the presence of two All-Stars and Tyson Chandler in the starting lineup. Read the rest of this entry »